power of a wish to do right. Amalia seems now as if born anew, and quite happy in her fresh occupation. If one could but see the end of it. I foresee a regular struggle with our Corsair. The pastor's wife is not herself quite satisfied with the affair. But I hope that our Lord will help us-I mean Amalia, Hertha, and myself.

"Apropos of myself; I am in a fair way of losing my heart. Can you guess to whom? Why, to no other than to your friend and the sworn enemy of the ladies'society, the Protocol Secretary-N. B. He is so good to our poor folks! and in that case he may be as angry as

he likes with ladies'-societies.

"Towards me he is particularly gracious (although I turn to him in all sorts of parish business), the reason of which I opine to be, that I very often fool him into laughing. He does everything that I ask of him. I have often remarked, as a general rule, that what people will not do for the sake of necessity, they will often do either for the sake of a joke or a good laugh. And in this way your friend N. B. and I have become very good friends. But you know what I have said, if I should ever meet with a wealthy man-for I will not be poor if I can help it, least of all as a married woman-ready to help and do good-(in a rational sort of way, of course,) whom I can like, and who will have me-and papa along with me, then-I will not promise for what may happen!

"Now you laugh at me, and I do so too, and go and get ready papa's supper, and look after seventeen other things,

"But remain for ever, and with my whole heart,
"Your devoted sister,
"MIMMI S."

No. 2.

MRS. UGGLA sits in her arm-chair and reads the newspaper, sipping every now and then her afternoon coffee. Now she lays down the newspaper, takes off her spectacles, raises herself a little in her chair, and sighing with a secret satisfaction, says:

"Such a number of old ladies dead! and three of them my good friends!-It is a fact though, that the newspapers are very interesting. One learns so much from them. What is that you again, dear Ingeborg? Cannot I have any peace?"

"Not just now, mamma dear, impossible! I must have fifty little children's blouses cut out by the day after to-morrow; I have not half done them, and if mamma will not help me I shall get into disgrace in my family, and be scolded by Dr. Hedermann. I must now go with Hertha to visit our sick outside the town, and if, dear mamma, you would be so good and go on with the cutting-out while I am away, I shall then get through my undertaking with credit; otherwise I shall not."

"Well, in that case I suppose I must," sighed Mrs. Uggla, rising from her chair; "but it is very wretched with all these schemes, which only give people trouble! Now, where have you put the scissors and the stuff? It is quite certain that I ought to have the title of mother in the cutting-out family!"

And so sighing, Mrs. Uggla began her work, halfsmiling the while at Ingeborg, who kissed the hand in which she placed the large pair of scissors, and said cheerfully as she went out:

"Only don't be too quick, mamma dear; leave a little for me to do!"

Ingeborg went, and Mrs. Uggla begun her work in good earnest. Mrs. Uggla was really both more occupied. and less out of spirits than she used to be. Ingeborg

knew what portion of the business which occupied the attention of the family-groups was calculated to call forth her mother's interest and sympathy, and this falling, as it were, into her hands, had given a new turn to her thoughts and conversation. The human-beinglet naturalists say what they like on the subject-is a ruminant animal. He chews the cud of feelings and thoughts, the bitter as well as the sweet, when he has time for it.

"The human heart," says Luther, "is like a pair of millstones. If good corn is placed between them, they grind it into good meal. But if they have no corn to grind, they grind away themselves."

With this true observation we will proceed to our next visit.

No. 3.

Two young ladies are walking together on the road that fine evening, towards the end of summer. We recognise Hertha and Ingeborg. Their steps are directed towards the town. The evening sky glows with a warm but tender light; the air is calm, the crickets chirp in the grass. Ingeborg's countenance, brightened by the evening flush, and animated by her walk, is very unlike what it appeared in the ball-room a few months ago. She now looks well, healthy, and cheerful. The two young friends had walked in silence for some time, when Ingeborg said:

"People say so much about a beneficent activity for our distressed fellow-creatures being beautiful, but they never speak of the joy it gives, nor of its beneficent, elevated influence upon those who practise it. And yet it seems to me that this is so great, that it is like the reward of heaven to those who labour in its service. I confess, that for many years I have not felt so well and so cheerful in mind, as I have done during these last

months, when I have been obliged to be actively employed for our society. Ah! it is such a good thing to be able to forget one's own poor I, and to think about other people, and to work for them; and when one feels that one can be of some little use, can do some little good by one's life and one's work, it elevates the mind. Occupation during the day; walks in the fresh air, on one's visits to the dwellings of the poor, waft away many a germ of disease, both of mind and body. Why, Hertha, should the lives of so many of us be like a stagnant mere, when we have both time and strength to give, and when there is so much, and such countless numbers of people who need them?"

A

"I have often myself asked that question, Ingeborg," replied Hertha, "but have not yet found an answer. great deal of fault lies in the way in which society looks at the problem of our life, as well as in our education and position in society. Much also lies in our own apathy, or, more properly speaking, selfishness. A great deal of egotism prevails in our sex; and the feminine I is only too much inclined to see the whole world in the little, narrow circle which it calls its own. Many, too, there are who wish to do otherwise, but dare not. In the mean time the benevolent societies, which are now being established in all Christian countries, are signs of an extended horizon, and a higher and more comprehensive life. The heart begins to expand its world. This is good, and the well-inclined obtain therefrom encouragement and guidance. But I confess that the direction into which it principally extends itself is not sufficient for me. These works of benevolence, as they are called, this activity for the outwardly poor-does not satisfy my soul, nor the requirement of my spirit. I desire an activity for the mind, a service in the service of the spirit. Andno need that it should be less God's-service than labouring for the hungry and the naked!"

"Ah, no," said Ingeborg, "the very contrary; the bitterest poverty is that of the spirit; the most tormenting hunger is that of the soul. But not many are able to satisfy it. You who are one of the unusual and strong souls, you may do it, and many, many will bless you for that reason. We all of us need more freedom and a wider future than we possess for the powers which God has given us. But not many of us feel the thirst for knowledge and light which you speak of. The greater number of women, it seems to me, are created to find their most beautiful happiness as wives and as mothers; they do not commonly covet anything higher!"

"But this is a defect, Ingeborg, and a contractedness of mind in them who, being these, aim at nothing higher than being merely happy. And that which beyond every thing else appears to me to be the fault of our sex, is precisely this unconsciousness of its highest vocation. Therefore so many of them live, suffer, and enjoy as thoughtless, aimless beings, ruled by circumstances instead of ruling them; requiring everything from another, and living as parasites instead of having life and peace in God, and living as His witnesses and the benefactors of their fellows."

"You speak beautiful and proud words, Hertha!" said Ingeborg, whilst tears filled her eyes," and it does me good to hear them, although they show me how far I am from the point of view which they assume. And many, like myself, fettered by circumstances, over which they have no control, may be able merely to raise themselves, by feebly fluttering their wings, above them, -nay, many never can raise themselves before they have broken the chain. of human life."

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"And I too," said Hertha, smiling sorrowfully, am considerably weaker than my words. I only say what I wish, and what we ought all to be!"

"What the devil are the girls marching along for?"

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